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WXYZ chief meteorologist Dave Rexroth loses eye in fireworks accident

Dave Rexroth, the chief meteorologist at Detroit ABC affiliate WXYZ-Ch. 7 since 2010, lost an eye to a fireworks accident while on vacation in Iowa over the weekend, but will return to the air possibly as soon as September.

“He is currently hospitalized in Iowa City and is scheduled to undergo surgery on Wednesday. That will begin the process of Dave receiving a prosthetic (left) eye,” the station reported on its website today.

Rexroth, 48, joined the station in 2000 and a decade later replaced longtime weatherman Jerry Hodak, who retired, as the station’s prime meteorologist.

In the interim, Chris Edwards is likely to fill in for Rexroth in the weekday evening news slot, said Ed Fernandez, WXYZ’s general manager and vice president. Hally Vogel and Keenan Smith also will fill in as needed, he said.

A September return is based on what Rexroth has told the station, Fernandez said.

“That’s the initial prognosis. That’s what we hope and are praying for,” he said.